Play a trial of Elite: Dangerous and The Long Dark today, and then decide if you want to buy it,

Microsoft has announced Xbox Game Preview, a programme that will allow users to trial and buy games that are still in-development.

Xbox Game Preview functions very much like the Steam Early Access programme, but instead of buying an unfinished product up-front, Xbox One owners will be able to play a trial, then decide if they want to commit.

ID@Xbox's Chris Charla said "every game has a free trial," which means players can "make an educated decision" on whether they want to buy it in an early stage or wait for the finish product.

A select number of games will join the program over the next year, with titles including Shelter and DayZ on the way.